Florida Skewers Georgia On Easing Water Restrictions

By BILLY HOUSE The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

WASHINGTON - Georgia's decision in February to ease outdoor-watering restrictions in metropolitan Atlanta undercuts its claims the federal government should continue limiting downstream flows out of that state, a Florida official says.

"The proposal is unjustified in light of Georgia's unfathomable refusal to implement and sustain meaningful water-conservation measures," said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole in a letter released Thursday.

Sole's letter to the U.S. Corps of Engineers instead suggests Georgia should address worries about reservoir levels near Atlanta "by aggressively implementing all authorized measures available to reduce demands on the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers."

Dated Tuesday, the letter is the latest salvo fired in the decades-old feud between Florida, Georgia and Alabama over water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, exacerbated by what has been two years of regional drought conditions.

"It's easy to make excuses and make accusations, but the facts aren't there," responded Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue's office.

Brantley said the added Atlanta water consumption resulting from the easing of some outdoor watering rules in early February is minor.

At the same time, he said, allowing "some reasonable water use" is helping the Georgia landscaping industry, farmers, and plant-sellers to "get back on their feet" during the dry period that has had serious impact on their businesses.

"We certainly can recognize the thought behind that [the criticism]. But a look at the real numbers show this is not a drought caused by consumption - it's a lack of rain and sending this water down the river to Alabama and Florida - many times more than what Atlanta consumes," Brantley said.

It was also in February when Georgia asked the Corps to again reduce water flows into the Chattahoochee from Lake Lanier, a reservoir north of Atlanta. It did so by describing it as a "temporary" drought-contingency measure.

At first, Florida did not object as long as the reductions did not extend beyond April 1, when there could start to affect wildlife or fish spawning on the Apalachicola River, including freshwater mussels and sturgeon in Apalachicola Bay.

But the Corps has since allowed the flow reduction to continue - from a minimum of 750 cubic feet per second to 650 cubic feet.

Despite the reductions, water levels at the reservoir remain about 13 feet below normal. And Georgia is asking for an extension to May 31. Sole is objecting, saying it would be an "unprecedented action during spawning season."

"Georgia has presented no analyses of the impacts or benefits of its proposal, which appear to be marginal at best," Sole wrote.

Sole also noted that in early February - less than a month before Georgia requested that the Corps reduce downstream flows - Georgia had eased conservations restrictions in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

As evidence, Sole attached to his letter a copy of one of Georgia Gov. Perdue's news releases, dated Feb. 6, easing restrictions to allow for 25 minutes of outdoor watering a day on an odd-even address schedule.

"The restrictions are still very restrictive," said Brantley, noting that watering with a garden hose is permitted, but not sprinklers, along with the time limits.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673 or bhouse@tampatrib.com.